Dry cleaning attachment for clothes washer



May 18, 1965 Filed April 12, 1963 J. W. JACOBS DRY CLEANING ATTACHMENT FOR CLOTHES WASHER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig.

INVENTOR. James W. Jacobs His Alia/pay May 18, 1965 J. w. JACOBS 3,183,689

DRY CLEANING ATTACHMENT FOR CLOTHES WASHER Filed April 12, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig. 3

INVENTOR. Fi 4 James M. Jacobs fll-ll's Afforney United States Patent DRY CLEANING ATTACHMENT FOR CLOTHES WASHER James W. Jacobs, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Filed Apr. 12, I963, Ser. No. 272,717 11 Claims. (Cl. 68-23) cleaning device including means in combination with a" clothes washing unit for dry cleaning clothestherein.

A still further object of the invention is-to provide a dry cleaning attachment that is adapted to be vertically reciprocated and spun by the drive mechanism of a domestic clothes washing unit wherein the attachment includes a first compartment for circulating solvent through clothes during the vertical reciprocation of the attachment and storing solvent during spinning of the attachment.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a clothes dry cleaning attachment for use with a domestic clothes washing unit that can be quickly, operatively connected in combination with the drive mechanism of the clothes washing unit without disrupting the clothes washing cycle thereof.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred embodiment of the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings: FIGURE 1 is a schematic view of a clothes w sher including the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a view in horizontal section taken along the line 2-2 of FIGURE 3; I

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view in vertical section of the clothes washer of FIGURE 1 including the dry cleaning attachment of the present invention; and

FIGURE 4 is a View in vertical section taken along the line 44 of FIGURE 2.

Referring now to the drawings, a clothes cleaning de- Nice having clothes washing and dry cleaning capabilities is illustrated in FIGURE 1 as including a casing 12 having a top opening 14 therein closed by a hingedly mounted access door 16. A generally cylindrical water container 18 is concentrically located within the casing 12 so that an open top end therein is aligned with the access opening 14 and a bottom end thereof is closed by a bulkhead 20 which separates the casing 11') into a tub or Water container compartment and a machinery compartment. Disposed within the tub compartment is a generally cylindrical spin tub 22 whichincludes a plurality of circumand further includes a second compartment for receiving Patented May 18, 1965 ice ferentially arranged outflow ports 24. The cleaning device 10 further includes an agitator 26 located concentrically within the cylindrical spin tub 22 for agitating clothes supported therein and a dry cleaning attachment 28 adapted to be inserted through the top'opening in the spin tub 22 and supported by the agitator 26 in a manner to be discussed. 7,

In accordance with certain of the principles of the present invention a multiple-speed motor 30 is operatively associated with the cylindrical spin tub 22 and the agitator 26 by means of an agitating and spinning mechanism 32 such as is taught in the US. Patent 2,758,685 issued August 14, 1956 to Sisson. Such a mechanism is representative of one suitable drive arrangement for causing the agitator 26 to vertically reciprocate or agitate within the spin tub 22 at two or more speeds and to cause the spin tub 22 to spin at two or more speeds. A conventional belt drive 34 may be utilized in transmitting the rotative power of the motor 30 to the agitating and spinning mechanism 32. V

The cleaning device 10 further includes means for supplying water to and for extracting water from the spin tub 2'2, representatively illustrated as comprising a thermostatic valve arrangement 35 and a solenoid actuated shutoff valve 36 located in an inlet line 38 for supplying fluid through the top opening in the cylindrical spin tub 22.

'. A suitable timer control 40 and speed selector 42can be associated with a conventional control circuit for controlling the operation of the motor 28 and valves 35, 36. The clothes washing operation of the above-described improved cleaning device 10 is set forth .in greater detail in Brucken, 3,049,654 issued August 14, 1962, but for purposes of this disclosure, it should be pointed out that the cylindrical spin tub 22 is adapted to receive a load of clothes to be washed by inserting them through the top opening 14 in the outer casing 12 and the access openings in the water container 18 and spin tub 22 during periods in which the dry cleaner attachment 28 is removed from the device 10. Then the timer 4i) and speed selector'42 are set at predetermined positions to produce any suitable clothes washing cycle. An example of a typical clothes washing cycle includes supplying fresh water to the spin tub 22 through the line 38. Then the agitator 26 is vertically reciprocated by means of the agitate and spin mechanism 32 during a first Washing cycle. At the conclusion of the washing action, the timer 4i) will condition the control circuit associated with the motor St to remove soiled wash water from within the tub 22 by driving the agitate and spin mechanism 32 to spin the tub 22 in a manner to cause centrifugal forces to act on the water therein for forcing it outwardly through the plurality of circumferentially located outflow ports 24 in the tub 22 and thus into the water container 18 from whence a pump 44 can remove the Water to a remote drain location through a conduit 46. Following the spin cycle, fresh rinse water is then supplied to the tub 22 and a second agitation, or rinse, cycle is initiated by the timer 24. Following this, the rinse water is removed from the tub 22 by means of another spinning cycle of the tub. The above discussed clothes washing operation is only representative of one suitable arrangement for use in the present invention. As will be more fully explained, the provision of the vertically reciprocal agitator 26 and spinning cycle aspects of the clothes washer are the features that make the device adaptable for dry cleaning clothes.

7 Washing cycle.

Y26 and attachment 28 connected thereto.

Referring now to FIGURESVZ through 4,. the removable dry cleaning attachment 28 is illustrated as compr1s ing an open-ended outer basket 48 recessed centrally thereof 7 at St to fit over the upper end of the agitator 26. At the upper end of the recess 50 the basket 48 has a plurality of depending arms 52 formed as bayon'etdike connectors adapted to be received in slots 53 formed in the inner surface of the upper end of agitator 26; The slots 53 merge into recesses 54 in the inner surface of the upper end of the agitator 26 whereby counterclockwise rotation of the attachment 28, as viewed in FIGURE 2, relative to the agitator 2 6 will'causethe; arms 52 to interlockingly engage the agitator 26 at recesses 54 for securing the attachment 28 against vertical movement relative to the agitator 26; t

The outer basket 48 has the top opening-therein closed second smaller basket 56 concentrically located within 'by an upper rim 55 forming an access opening to a the outer'basket 48 to form an annular space 58 there- 7 7 between. The second basket serves as a compartment for enclosing a dry cleaning load inserted therein through the access opening thereof along with a' predetermined quantity of dry cleaning solvent; A substantially nontoxic solvent is preferred such as Valclene (essentially a fiuorinatcd hydrocarbon such as Freon 113 made by Du Pont Corp.). r

The'dry cleaning attachmentZS further includes a lid removed through the access opening in the cylindrical spin tub 22 and the top opening 14 in the outer casing 12. ,Then the clothes are removed from the clothes carrying basket 56. The solvent in the space 58 between the concentrically. arranged baskets 48, 56 is then drained therefrom by removing a'plug 72 blocking an opening 74 in the bottom of basket 48 or the solvent can be safely stored in the attachment 28 if the top opening thereof is closed by the lid 60 once clothes have been removed therefrom following fcleaning. By inverting the attachment 28 solventre-enters the basket 56 via ports 66 when it is desired to clean another load of clothes. Such solvent can be reused for several cleaning cycles due to 60 having a seal 62 at the outer periphery thereof'adapted I to sealingly engage the rim SS'for closing the access opening into the inner or clothes carrying basket'56 and preventing solvent leakage therefrom. The lid 60 is secured to the baskets by means of a wing nut 63 threaded on one end of an elongated screw element 64 into engagement with the'outer surface of the lid 60. The opposite end of screw element 64 is connected to a centrally located hub portion 65 on top of the inner basket 56 whereby the soil'removing action of the filter 70 during the dry cleaning spin cycle. While the embodiment of the present invention as herein disclosed constitutes a preferred form, it is to be'under- V stood that'other'forms might be'adopted.

' What is claimed is as follows:

1. A fabric cleaning device comprising, a tub, means fincluding a vertically reciprocal and rotatable member the nut 63 will draw the lid 60 tightly against the baskets to produce the above-mentioned sealing action. I

The inner basket 56 further includes'a plurality of circumferentially spaced outflow ports 66 in the upper edge thereof for providing communication between'the interior of that basket andrthe space 58 formed between the concentrically arranged baskets 48, 56 for the removal of solvent from the clothes carrying basket following a predermined dry cleaning cycle. An annular frame member' 63 overlies the outlet ports 66- for supporting a filter element 70 there'against for removingmatter from the solvent as it passes from the basket 56 .into the annular space-58. 5 a t The above-described dry cleaning attachment 28 is driven through the agitatorr26 by means of the same mechanism for carrying out theabove-discussed clothes clothes cleaning device 7 as a dry cleaner can be carried out concurrently'with clothes washing or can be run without running water acontrol system such as that in the'Brucken patent men'- tioned above for energizing the solenoid shutoff valve 36 Thus, a basic clothes washing machine "for agitating clothes in said tub, means for supplying a first fluid to said tub and for extracting said first fiuid therefrom during a first predetermined cleaning cycle, an

enclosure adapted to be supported by said reciprocal and rotatable member for movement therewith "including a" first compartment and a second compartment, said first compartment adapted to carry clothes and a second fluid for cleaning the clothes during a second predetermined cleaning cycle, means communicating said first compart- I ment with said second compartment for withdrawing the second fluid from said first compartment into said'second compartment'following the "second predetermined clean- 45 ing cycle.

7 2. A fabric cleaning device comprising,,a tub, means in- V cluding a vertically reciprocal .member for agitating clothes in said tub, means ,for supplying a first fluid to said tub and for extracting said first fluid'therefrom during a first predetermined cleaning cycle,an enclosure adapted to be supported by said reciprocal member for movement therewith including a first compartment and a secondicompartment, said first compartment adapted to carry'clothes and a second fluid for cleaning the clothes during a second predetermined cleaning cycle, means com- .municating said first compartment with said second comthrough the washing machine'by actuating a switch 72 in in the water inlet line 38 to preve'nt water discharge therefrom during a dry cleaning cycle. speed selector'42'are moved into predetermined positions as discussed above to condition the motor 30 to drive the agitate and spin mechanism 32 to cause the agitator 26 to reciprocate vertically and thusagitate the load of clothes and solvent in the inner basket 56 of the attachment 28 fora predetermined period of time to cause the solvent to remove any soil present in the clothes.

Following such an agitation or dry cleaning cycle, the timer 40 will condition the motor 30 so as to cause the agitate and spin mechanism 32 to spin the tub 22, agitator This imposes centrifugal forces on the solvent in the clothes carrying Then timerAt) and V partmentfor passing the second fluid'from said first compartment into said second compartment following the second predetermined'cleaning cycle, said second compartment being sealed to prevent passage of said second fluid therefrom during the second predetermined cleaning cyc e.

t 3. A fabric cleaning device comprising, .a tub, means including a vertically reciprocal and rotatable member for agitating clothes in {said tub, means for supplying a first fluidto said tub and for extracting said first fluid from said tub during a first predetermined cleaning'cycle, an

/ enclosure adapted to be supported by said reciprocal and rotatable member for movement therewith including a first compartment and a second compartment, said first compartment-adapted to carry clothes and a second fluid for cleaning the clothes during a second predetermined cleaning cycle, means forming a plurality of passageways in said enclosure'for communicating said first compartment with said second compartment for passing the second liquid from said first compartment into said second compartment during a phase of the second predetermined cleaning cycle wherein said reciprocal and rotatable member is rotated, said second compartment being sealed to prevent leakage of the second fluid therefrom during the second predetermined cycle.

4. A fabric cleaning device comprising, a tub, means including a vertically reciprocal and rotatable member for agitating clothes in said tub, means for supplying a first fluid to said tub and for extracting said first fluid therefrom during a first predetermined cleaning cycle, an enclosure adapted to be supported by said reciprocal and rotatable member for movement therewith including a first compartment and a second compartment, said first compartment adapted to carry clothes and a second fluid for cleaning the clothes during a second predetermined cleaning cycle including a phase of operation wherein said vertically reciprocal member is reciprocated to cause the second fluid to circulate through the clothes for removing soil therefrom, means defining passageways in said enclosure for communicating said first compartment with said second compartment for passing the second fluid in said first compartment into said second compartment during another phase of said second predetermined cleaning cycle wherein said vertically reciprocal and rotatable member is rotated, and means for filtering the second fluid as it passes from said first compartment into said second compartment.

5. A fabric cleaning device, comprising a tub with a top opening therein, means for agitating and spinning clothes in said tub including a substantially vertically directed post located centrally of said tub for vertical reciprocation relative thereto and for spinning movement therewith, means for supplying a first fluid to said tub and for extracting the first fluid therefrom during a first predetermined cleaning cycle, an enclosure adapted to be removably inserted through said top opening into said tub and further adapted to be supported by said post for movement therewith, said enclosure including a first compartment and a second compartment, said first compartment adapted to carry clothes and a second fluid for cleaning the clothes during vertical reciprocation of said vertical post, means communicating said first compartment with said second compartment for passing second fluid from said first compartment into said second compartment by centrifugal action produced by spinning of said vertically directed post, said second compartment being sealed from said tub to prevent passage of the second fluid outwardly thereof into said tub.

6. A fabric cleaning device comprising, a tub with a top opening therein, means for agitating clothes in said tub including a substantially vertically directed post mounted centrally of said tub for vertical reciprocation relative thereto and spinning movement therewith, means for supplying a first fluid to said tub and for extracting the first fluid therefrom during a first predetermined cleaning cycle, an enclosure adapted to be removably inserted through said top opening and further adapted to be supported by said post for movement therewith, said enclosure including a first compartment and a second compartment, said first compartment adapted to carry clothes and a second fluid for cleaning the clothes during reciprocal movement of said enclosure, means communicating said first compartment with said second compartment for passing the second fluid from said first compartment into said second compartment during spinning movement of said enclosure, means for filtering second fluid as it passes from said first compartment into said second compartment, said second compartment being sealed to prevent leakage of the second fluid into said tub during movement of said enclosure.

7. A fabric cleaning device comprising, a tub, means for agitating clothes in said tub including a substantially vertically directed post mounted centrally of said tub,

means for supplying a first fluid to said tub and for extraoting the first fluid therefrom during a first predetermined cleaning cycle, a clothes enclosure adapted to be supported by said post for movement therewith, said clothes enclosure including a first cylindrical basket and a second cylindrical basket located concentrically within said first basket, said first basket portion adapted to carry clothes and a second fluid for cleaning the clothes during movement of said enclosure, means communicating said second basket with said first basket for passing the second fluid from said second basket into said first basket following reciprocation of said enclosure, said second basket being sealed to prevent leakage of the second fluid therefrom into said tub.

8. A fabric cleaning device comprising, a tub, means for agitating clothes in said tub including a vertically directed post mounted centrally of said tub for reciprocation relative thereto and for spinning movement therewith, means for supplying a first fluid to said tub and for extracting said first fluid therefrom during a first predetermined cycle, a clothes enclosure adapted to be supported by said post for movement therewith, said clothes enclosure including a first cylindrical basket and a second cylindrical basket concentrically mounted within said first cylindrical basket to form a space therebetween, said second basket adapted to carry clothes and a second fluid for cleaning clothes during movement of said enclosure, said second cylindrical basket having a plurality of ports at the upper end thereof communicating with the space between said first and said second baskets for the passage of the second fluid from said second basket into the space between said first and second baskets during spinning of said enclosure, and means for sealing said baskets to prevent leakage of the second fluid into said tub during movement of said enclosure.

9. A fabric cleaning device comprising, a tub with a top opening therein, means for agitating clothes in said tub including a vertically directed post mounted centrally of said tub for vertical reciprocation relative thereto and for spinning movement therewith, means for supplying a first fluid to said tub and for extracting said first fluid therefrom during a first predetermined cleaning cycle, an enclosure adapted to be removably inserted through said top opening and further adapted to be supported by said post for movement therewith, said enclosure including an outer cylindrical basket and an inner cylindrical basket mounted concentrically of said outer basket to form a space therebetween, said second cylindrical basket adapted to carry clothes and a second fluid for cleaning clothes during movement of said enclosure, a plurality of openings in said second cylindrical basket at the top thereof communicating said second basket with the space between said first and said second baskets for passing the second fluid from said second basket into said space by centrifugal action produced by spinning of said enclosure, means for filtering the second fluid as it passes from said second basket into the space between said first and said second baskets, and means for sealing said baskets to prevent leakage of the second fluid therefrom into the tub during movement of said enclosure.

10. A clothes cleaning attachment adapted to be operatively associated with a mechanism for vertically reciprocating and spinning the attachment comprising, a first compartment for carrying clothes and for circulating fluid through the clothes during vertical reciprocation of the attachment, a second compartment, and means for passing fluid from said first compartment into said second compartment during spinning of said attachment, said second compartment storing the fluid independently of said first compartment following spinning of the attachment.

11. A clothes cleaning attachment adapted to be operatively associated with a mechanism for vertically reciprocating and spinning the attachment comprising, a first cylindrical basket and a second cylindrical basket located concentrically Within said first basket, said second basket adapted to carry clothes and a fluid to be circulated through the clothes during vertical reciprocation of the at-' References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,009,111 7/35 Kirby.

10/35 Ovs ey 68-27 11/38 Kirby 68--23 X 7/41 Shipley 68-4 3 /59 McCormick 6823 2/61 Geldhof 68 18.1

4/62 Morey 68-4 FOREIGN PATENTS 1 /5 0 France.

WALTER A. SCHEEL, Primary Examiner. 

11. A CLOTHES CLEANING ATTACHMENT ADAPTED TO BE OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH A MECHANISM FOR VERTICALLY RECIPROCATING AND SPINNING THE ATTACHMENT COMPRISING, A FIRST CYLINDRICAL BASKET AND A SECOND CYLINDRICAL BASKET LOCATED CONCENTRICALLY WITHIN SAID FIRST BASKET, SAID SECOND BASKET ADAPTED TO CARRY CLOTHES AND A FLUID TO BE CIRCULATED THROUGH THE CLOTHES DURING VERTICAL RECIPROCATION OF THE ATTACHMENT, MEANS FOR PASSING FLUID FROM SAID SECOND BASKET INTO SAID FIRST BASKET DURING SPINNING OF THE ATTACHMENT, SAID FIRST BASKET STORING THE FLUID INDEPENDENTLY OF SAID SECOND BASKET FOLLOWING SPINNING OF THE ATTACHMENT. 